Pyewacket

This movie, as it has been accurately described, is a slow burn. It is no question that this low budget indie horror title is driven by solid performances, specifically by Nicole Munoz and Laurie Holden. The dynamic between these characters is believable and could pass as a standalone drama if the horror elements weren't included. The most impressive aspect of this film is how Adam MacDonald used his low budget to create a piece of film that uses effective storytelling and edge-of-your-seat suspense. If you're an individual who prefers the louder, high budget horror shows, I'm sad to say you will be slightly disappointed with this film. But if you enjoyed films like The Witch or It Follows, I can definitely recommend this movie, as I believe it is truly something special.

I finally got a chance to check this movie out, and I feel I should say something level-headed given the mixed reviews. Lots of 10/10 and 1/10 reviews without much in the middle. I've seen my fair share of horror films, from masterpieces like The Shining and Rosemary's Baby, to camp like the Leprechaun series and Death Bed: The Bed That Eats. For a small independent production, I think this was a decent little horror movie, albeit with many flaws. Here's the good and bad: The Good: The acting was pretty good overall. I appreciate how this movie didn't stoop to any cheap tricks to scare the audience. There are no jump scares (except for one edit that could debatably be called a fake out). It showed a surprising amount of restraint, relying on a slow escalation of events to build suspense. By not showing much, it makes your imagination run wild, and that's what makes it scary. If anything, I actually wish they had shown even less of the demon. It's nothing mind-blowing, but it's on the right track. The Bad: The film looks cheaply made. The music and camerawork were serviceable but nothing great. Characterization was weak overall, though development between the mother and daughter was okay. The suspense built up pretty well for a majority of the runtime, but when you actually see the demon it's not very convincing. That CGI fire was pretty bad. Why didn't she show her mom the broken chair and door after that chase scene? In the hands of a more meticulous filmmaker with a higher budget, this could've been an A24 horror film like The Witch or Hereditary, but Pyewacket simply isn't on the same level. If you're a psychological horror fan and/or an indie horror fan, I's say this movie is worth a watch, but don't expect to be blown away. If getting startled by something popping at the screen is the only thing you consider scary, this isn't for you.

The first 42 minutes of this movie is utterly tedious. The storyline is weak, script and character development, is non-existent. We are introduced to a young girl, who decides that her mother wanting to move away to escape memories of her dead father is clearly a motive to want her dead - absurd! So off she goes to a book signing, by her favourite occultist author and this gives her the inspiration to call up an evil entity by performing a half-brained ritual, involving a ball of string and a rock. The fact that said spirit is called Pyewacket and this happens to have been one of the familiars of a 'witch' arrested by the Witchfinder general, Matthew Hopkins during the 1640s should indicate as loose a rip on reality as had Mr Hopkins, who slaughtered many people for believing in things like lucky charms, which they would sell for money. Thank the good Lord that he took him in 1647 and saved the lives of many more innocents. So where was I.... ah.. the ritual. The young lady almost cuts her wrist for no good apparent reason and the deed is done. Pyewacket is nothing more frightening than someone dressed in black, shown out of focus for about 15 seconds, a dirty hand and a disabled,or drunk 'thing' shown from distance for 5 seconds. Don't expect any good make-up or CGI - there is a few seconds of an embarrassing attempt at CGI, consisting of a black figure, which is badly done. Of course the girl decides she was a little rash in calling up this disabled shadow to slaughter her mother, in a roundabout way, but hey ho...! The cast numbers fewer than ten and so do most of their individual lines and of course...they are all Goths. The acting is absolutely fine, but the script and dialogue is so limited that it just doesn't hold your attention. I can only assume this will appeal to youngsters, with a lot of imagination - which you need in abundance with the lack of actual scary content. The ending is just as absurd and that's over in seconds. There is nothing to recommend about this movie. Watch it by all means, but you will be left with a feeling of loss at the life you can't get back. It's low budget, not scary (a prerequisite for a horror), boring, dull, uneventful and amateurish. If you make it past 42 minutes, well done!

I can't believe that this has such a low score. It's a low budget chiller that really delivers. A teenager casts a curse/spell on her mom. Then immediately regrets it. Simple plot line pulled off brilliantly. Excellent performances and tension that mounts until a satisfying ending. It may not be the fastest paced film ever but enough happens to keep you interested. It has a few great set pieces and the end gave me a genuine chill. I would have given this a solid 7 but gave it 10 to offset those who pulled down the score because they have no attention span.

Before I rate this, I just want to say two things. Firstly, I don't care for reviewers telling me how to think or feel about a movie... just review it and let me make up my own mind. Secondly, all horror does not have to be terrifying from start to finish, there are different ways to tell a story, and as long as the story is interesting and the acting is good, then it will work, but not if you're one who loves constant action. That being said... Acting is top notch. Nicole Munez does an outstanding job, is very believable and empathetic. Laurie Holden is also outstanding as the erratic but loving mother. You're given time to bond with and understand the characters, which is very important. This is a STORY, not an action film, and it is a very well-told story at that. It builds to a very scary ending, giving the payoff to horror film lovers, but be patient, go into it ready to sit back and watch it all unfold. Again, superb acting... well worth watching.